purple Clay Teapots are unique in that neither the inside nor the outside is glazed, allowing the lid and body to be fired together. This ensures that the finished product has a tight, smooth lid that keeps out dust and retains heat. The main forms of lids include the press-on lid, the inset lid, and the cut-off lid.
(1) Press-On Lid (also called “Complete Lid”): This type of lid sits on top of the mouth of the pot. Its edge can either be square or round, complementing the mouth of the pot. A flat piece of clay placed over the mouth is called a “seat,” while a bent piece is referred to as a “false piece.” The piece of clay forming the mouth is known as a “clump,” and the clay ring around the pot's wall is called the “child mouth.” These parts and their transitions are connected using clay, making them blend seamlessly and appear as if they were made as one.
Regardless of whether the pot is square or round, the rim of the lid and the rim of the mouth echo each other vertically and horizontally. The lid sitting on top of the mouth is also known as a “conquering lid.” The term “heaven pressing earth” is used when the lid is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the mouth, to accommodate functional and visual requirements.
(Types of Press-On Lids)
(2) Inset Lid: An inset lid fits inside the mouth of the pot and blends into the body. There are two types: the flat inset lid and the false inset lid. The highest quality ones fit so tightly that the gap is as thin as paper or a strand of hair. The flat inset lid lies flush with the mouth of the pot and is cut from the same piece of clay, ensuring consistent shrinkage during firing, leaving only a gap as thin as paper or hair. These can come in round, square, irregular, or Tree stump shapes. The false inset lid fits the mouth in an arched or other shape and has a regular form. The mouth is treated with decorative lines, which can include straight mouths, ladle mouths, and male/female piece mouths. Similar to the flat inset lid, the best ones are characterized by their tightness, precision, and smooth turning.
The style where the lid fits inside the mouth is commonly referred to as “earth enveloping heaven.” Examples include the “Short Well Parapet,” “Single Pearl,” and “Fish Transforming into Dragon” teapots.
(Types of Inset Lids)
(3) Cut-Off Lid: This is a unique lid style for purple clay teapots, where a section of the pot is cut off to form the lid. Its characteristics include simplicity, fluidity, clarity, and a strong sense of unity. After being made, the lid not only fits the mouth perfectly but also aligns its outer contour line precisely, leaving no gaps. Therefore, the technical requirements are high. There are three types: the cut-off lid, the conquering cut-off lid, and the inset cut-off lid.
Examples such as the Qin Scale, Pear-shaped, and Inverted Handle Xi Shi teapots have lids whose surfaces align precisely with the contour lines of the pot body, fitting snugly without any gaps, and the size of the lid matches the mouth perfectly.
(Two Forms of Cut-Off Lids)